to camp.”
The friendliness and helpfulness
of the Swedes has never been
exaggerated. If you make an effort to
be polite and respectful, they quite
often break free of the cold and stoic
exterior and go out of their way to
help you.
We thanked them and found
our way to the site, and what a
spectacular campsite it was.
A mild drizzle fell while we pitched
our tents, strapped the tarpaulin
between two trees and started
our campfire. Stephen made the
most exquisite dinner and we both
managed to burn something while
drying our riding gear fireside. At
this point we were less than two
hours from my home in Västervik,
and had I been alone I would’ve
probably just carried on all the way
back. However, I was now riding
with Stephen and we opted for a night
of camping instead and we’d found
this extraordinary wild camp site,
had a fantastic night with campfire
food, plus an extra night in our tents.
Before we went to sleep, I
presented Stephen with yet another
surprise. I had brought a Swedish
flag which I ceremonially handed
over as I declared him an Honorary
Swede. It was all very informal but
nevertheless a touching moment.
We raised the flag on a makeshift
flagpole, chilled for a while at the
campfire, and then went to sleep.
I’d started suffering Post Adventure
Stress Disorder before I actually
returned home. It had started before
I went to bed and was still there,
greater, as I woke the following
morning.
We had had such a great time and
become such good friends. I didn’t
want it to end. The sun was beaming
down while we broke camp and
started toward the main road. We
had only two hours ride to my home,
but there were special treats in store
for Stephen on the way.
We visited the petrol station which
was, when I was young in the 1980s,
the only station in the area open at
night. I used to go there sometimes
when my craving for Cheez Doodles
became too overwhelming.
In a slightly more grown up
manner we had a sandwich and
coffee, carrying on after the quick
pitstop until we reached Vimmerby;
made famous by Astrid Lindgren in
books like Pippi Longstocking and
Emil in Lönneberga. For me and
Stephen there was another kind
of attraction; Bloms MX Racing,
a motorcycle store specialising in
Enduro and Motocross.
Checking the time as we left Bloms
we realised we still had plenty of time
and swung by the Moped Museum in
Hjorted.
This inspiring place is run by a
man called Bosse, who has mopeds
from all over the world, new as
well as old, and with every exhibit
he has an alluring and fascinating
story which he tells with devoted
enthusiasm.
All good things must come to an
end and as we were riding the last
kilometres from Bosse’s Moped
Museum to my hometown Västervik
I had time to reflect on the last few
days on the road with Stephen. I had
entered this trip as a dedicated solo
rider but along the way my mind
had changed. I had realised that
there are other ways to experience
a motorcycle adventure than on my
own.
I’m still a dedicated solo rider, and
the chance that I would sign up for an
organised group trip is slim to none.
I will however, ride with friends again
… and just like that I said goodbye to
my new best mate … AJ
Anders says he fairly new to ADV bike
riding, but has always been adventurous. His
Around On A Bike site and YouTube channel
would suggest he's been on ADV bikes for
some time, he's certainly into adventure.
TRAVERSE 32